Emergency crews had to travel more than 20km to reach a road crash just 7km from their base because there is no provision for emergency vehicle access on the M18 motorway in Co Clare.
The single-vehicle crash, the third on the same stretch of motorway in as many days, occurred about 500m north of the Barefield interchange.
Emergency vehicles had to drive past the scene to the next interchange at Crusheen to gain access. The female motorist escaped injury.
Clare councillor Johnny Flynn said the National Roads Authority and county council must investigate providing access points for emergency vehicles on the M18.
